Education Required in Contested Custody or Parenting Time Cases
Pursuant to
Minn. Stat. § 518.157 enacted in 1998, parents involved in contested custody or parenting time cases, regardless of whether a marriage relationship exists. In all other proceedings involving custody, support, or parenting time, the court has discretion to order the parents to attend a parent education program. The courses attended by parents must meet the Parent Education Minimum Standards.
Starting August 1, 2021, unless otherwise ordered, participation in a parent education course must begin within 30 days of the first filing in the case and
prior to an Initial Case Management Conference, if one is scheduled.
Available Courses
In-Person:
- Bridging Parental Conflict offered by the Bridging Center, Edina, (612) 440-4252]
- Parents Forever In-Person Courses offered by
- Parenting Resource Center, Austin, (no child care available)
- True Foundation Counseling Services, Brooklyn Park, (763) 657-1551
- Health Resources, Detroit Lakes, (218) 844-8822
- Fergus Falls Community Education, Fergus Falls, (218) 998-0544
- Friends Against Abuse, International Falls, (218) 285-7220 (no child care available)
- Roseau County Northwest Mediation Services, Roseau,
- Ann Mozey, Stillwater, (651) 644-1000 (no child care available)
Live Video Conferencing:
Online Courses:
- Certevia MN Parenting and Divorce offered by Certevia Education Programs, (800) 767-8193
- Children In Between offered by the Center for Divorce Education, (877) 874-1365
- Co-Parenting Into The Future, 6-hour course approved only, (discount code for Minnesotans: MN), (disponible en español, curso de 6 horas aprobado solamente, código de descuento para residentes de Minnesota: MN), (832) 643-5908
- Impact-Based Parent Education offered by Mediation Works North, Inc., (218) 263-7307
- Minnesota Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course offered by the Bay Brooke Center for Independence and Wellness, (727) 827-7890
- Online Parenting Programs, (866) 504-2883
- Co-Parenting / Divorce Class
- Co-Parenting CARE Program
- 8-hour Co-Parenting CARE Program
- Parents Forever Course offered by the University of Minnesota, (612) 626-3958 or email: parentsforever@umn.edu (note: email is the faster way to get a response).
- Two Families Now Online Co-Parenting and Divorce Class offered by Trifoia
- MN Co-Parenting offered by Positive Parenting Through Divorce, 1-866-778-3349